rebski
100+ Head-Fier
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- Mar 24, 2009
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At last my full moulds have arrived snuggled inside a very useful carry pouch. Monika the audiologist did a great job with the impressions and the fit is perfect providing a total seal.
But how to insert them? After some trial and error, inserting, pushing, twisting, I finally found the solution. Namely, lightly smear the tip of the mould with the supplied tube of Protagel Plus and they slip effortlessly into place. Once in situ, the comfort sensation is much preferable to the ‘wedged-in’ feel of the universal tips.
FWIW, the IE8s protrude very slightly more.
How is the sound affected? If you are experienced with the tip selection progress, i.e. from standard tips to Sony Hybrids to Hybrid/double flange sandwich, then this is the next and probably final step in that progression. The sound presentation becomes tight, cohesive and focussed. The bass becomes more extended, deeper and defined.
I really can’t say whether the highs are more or less sparkly, or the mids more or less recessed. That all sounds pretty much as before.
Perhaps this observation will help clarify the effect. I had been trying to evaluate the sound quality of my new iPhone 3GS (ALAC) against my iRiver/iBasso combo (FLAC) and was finding it confusing and difficult to come to a conclusion. Then I did the same comparisons with the ACS moulds and, while both players sounded even better, there was no doubt as to the superiority of the iRiver/iBasso. As a side note the 3GS acquits itself very well.
Can this be considered a worthwhile upgrade and is the trouble and expense justified? In my experience, absolutely!
But how to insert them? After some trial and error, inserting, pushing, twisting, I finally found the solution. Namely, lightly smear the tip of the mould with the supplied tube of Protagel Plus and they slip effortlessly into place. Once in situ, the comfort sensation is much preferable to the ‘wedged-in’ feel of the universal tips.
FWIW, the IE8s protrude very slightly more.
How is the sound affected? If you are experienced with the tip selection progress, i.e. from standard tips to Sony Hybrids to Hybrid/double flange sandwich, then this is the next and probably final step in that progression. The sound presentation becomes tight, cohesive and focussed. The bass becomes more extended, deeper and defined.
I really can’t say whether the highs are more or less sparkly, or the mids more or less recessed. That all sounds pretty much as before.
Perhaps this observation will help clarify the effect. I had been trying to evaluate the sound quality of my new iPhone 3GS (ALAC) against my iRiver/iBasso combo (FLAC) and was finding it confusing and difficult to come to a conclusion. Then I did the same comparisons with the ACS moulds and, while both players sounded even better, there was no doubt as to the superiority of the iRiver/iBasso. As a side note the 3GS acquits itself very well.
Can this be considered a worthwhile upgrade and is the trouble and expense justified? In my experience, absolutely!